Is Bluesky the Alternative to X?

Bluesky, a budding social media platform, is becoming a popular alternative to Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), drawing attention for its innovative approach to user data and social networking. With a user base growing by approximately one million new sign-ups daily, Bluesky recently surpassed 16.7 million users. But what makes it stand out in a saturated market of social platforms?

What is Bluesky?

Bluesky mimics X in terms of functionality, offering familiar features such as posting, commenting, and liking. However, its standout feature is decentralisation. Unlike traditional platforms, Bluesky enables users to host their data on independent servers rather than relying on a centralised corporate database. This model empowers users to maintain greater control over their online presence. Additionally, Bluesky supports custom domains, offering a layer of personalisation beyond standard usernames like “.bsky.social.”

The Story Behind Bluesky

Founded in 2019 by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky was originally conceptualised as a decentralised offshoot of Twitter. Although Dorsey played a key role in its development, he stepped down from Bluesky’s board in May 2024 and later deleted his account. Today, Bluesky operates as a US public benefit corporation under the leadership of CEO Jay Graber, emphasising its commitment to ethical social networking.

Bluesky’s recent surge in popularity stems from both dissatisfaction with X and a desire for a more user-centric platform. Elon Musk’s controversial political alliances and relaxed content moderation policies have driven users away from X. High-profile endorsements from celebrities like Lizzo and Ben Stiller and Bluesky’s top-ranking position in app stores have also contributed to its rapid growth.

How Does Bluesky Make Money?

Currently, Bluesky avoids traditional advertising, focusing on paid features like custom domain usernames to generate revenue. The platform may explore subscription models or other innovative revenue streams as its user base expands.

Despite its impressive growth, Bluesky faces challenges. With an active user base significantly smaller than X’s 250 million daily users, it has a long way to go to rival its predecessor. Its financial sustainability is also under scrutiny, mirroring early concerns faced by platforms like Twitter.

Bluesky’s rise signals a growing appetite for decentralised, user-focused platforms, offering a glimpse into the future of social networking. Whether it can sustain this momentum remains to be seen.

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